Inspection apparatus of electrolyte membrane

ABSTRACT

An inspection apparatus of an electrolyte membrane is provided. The apparatus includes a lower supporter having a gas line through which gas flows or a concave portion that stores the gas. An upper supporter is disposed at an upper side of the lower supporter, and includes an opening. A membrane-electrode assembly is disposed between the lower supporter and the upper supporter. An upper cover covers an upper portion of the opening, and is formed with a plurality of partitions. An exhaust port is formed at the upper supporter to exhaust deionized water.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/921,535 filed on Oct. 23, 2015 which claims priority to andthe benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0037309 filed inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 18, 2015, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND (a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus of anelectrolyte membrane, and more particularly, to an inspection apparatusof an electrolyte membrane that quantitatively measures a position andsize of a pinhole formed at an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cellstack.

(b) Description of the Related Art

As is generally known, a fuel cell system is a type of power generationsystem that directly converts chemical energy of a fuel to electricalenergy. In a fuel cell stack that is applied to a fuel cell vehicle,unit cells are continuously arranged (e.g., stacked), and aMembrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) is disposed at the innermost of eachunit cell. The MEA is formed with an electrolyte membrane that movesprotons, and a catalyst layer, i.e., a cathode and an anode, which iscoated for reaction of hydrogen and oxygen at respective surfaces of theelectrolyte membrane.

Generally, the electrolyte membrane is formed of a perfluorosulfonicacid-based material, and a very thin membrane (e.g., about 10-30micrometers) is used to decrease ion conductivity influencingperformance of the fuel cell. A gas diffusion layer (GDL) is disposed atboth sides of the membrane electrode assembly. A separating plate atwhich a flow field is formed is disposed extraneous to the gas diffusionlayer to supply fuel and air to the cathode and the anode and dischargewater generated by the chemical reaction. Sub-gaskets are disposed atboth sides of the catalyst layer and are used to handle themembrane-electrode assembly.

When the fuel cell stack is operated long-term under an abnormalsituation (e.g., when the temperature of the fuel cell stack isincreased by non-uniform cooling of the fuel cell stack, or when thetemperature of the fuel cell stack is increased by inverse voltage),thickness of the electrolyte decreases and thus air-tightness betweenhydrogen and air is deteriorated. Therefore, pinholes (e.g., aperturesor bores) are formed at the electrolyte membrane. In particular, airdirectly contacts hydrogen due to the pinholes and a high temperaturecombustion reaction occurs. Therefore, the size of the pinholeincreases, and thus the fuel cell stack is damaged.

Additionally, the pinholes may be generated in a manufacturing processof the electrolyte membrane, a bonding process of the catalyst layer andthe gas diffusion layer, or a bonding process of the sub-gaskets. Whenthe size of the pinholes is substantial, a worker may verify a positionand size of the pinholes with the naked eye. However, when the size ofthe pinholes is very small (e.g., less than a predetermined size), thethickness of the electrolyte membrane decreases, or the electrolytemembrane is partially damaged, and thus, the worker cannot verify theposition and size of the pinholes, a portion where the electrolytemembrane is decreasing, or a portion where the electrolyte membrane ispartially damaged. Therefore, an inspection apparatus configured toquantitatively measure the pinholes, the portion where the electrolytemembrane is decreasing, or the portion where the electrolyte membrane ispartially damaged is required.

The above information disclosed in this section is merely forenhancement of understanding of the background of the invention andtherefore it may contain information that does not form the prior artthat is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill inthe art.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an inspection apparatus of an electrolytemembrane that may quantitatively measure pinholes formed at anelectrolyte membrane, a portion where the electrolyte membrane isdecreases (e.g., a thickness thereof decreases), or a portion where theelectrolyte membrane is partially damaged.

An inspection apparatus of an electrolyte membrane according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a lowersupporter formed with a gas line configured to measure gas flow; anupper supporter disposed at an upper side of the lower supporter, andformed with an opening, wherein a membrane-electrode assembly may bedisposed between the lower supporter and the upper supporter; and anupper cover configured to cover the opening of the upper supporter, andformed with a plurality of partitions, wherein an exhaust port may beformed at the upper supporter to exhaust deionized water.

A concave portion may be formed at a substantially center portion of thelower supporter, and the gas line may communicate with the concaveportion. A lower gasket may be disposed between the lower supporter andthe membrane-electrode assembly. An upper gasket may be disposed betweenthe upper supporter and the membrane-electrode assembly. The lowergasket or the upper gasket may include fluorine or EPDM (ethylenepropylene diene M-class) rubber. The partitions may be disposed with asubstantially constant gap along a horizontal direction and a verticaldirection and a ruler may be formed at the partitions.

A plurality of upper engagement bores may be formed at the uppersupporter, and a plurality of lower engagement bores may be formed at aposition that corresponds to the upper engagement bores in the lowersupporter. A plurality of cover guide bores may be formed at the uppercover, and a plurality of cover engagement bores may be formed atpositions that correspond to the cover guide bores in the uppersupporter. The upper cover may be made of a transparent material.

Further, an inspection apparatus of an electrolyte membrane according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: alower supporter formed with a deionized water inflow line through whichdeionized water may flow; an upper supporter disposed at an upper sideof the lower supporter, and formed with an opening, wherein amembrane-electrode assembly may be disposed between the lower supporterand the upper supporter; and an upper cover configured to cover theopening of the upper supporter and formed with a plurality ofpartitions.

A concave portion may be formed at a substantially center portion of thelower supporter, and the deionized water inflow line may communicatewith the concave portion. A deionized water exhaust line thatcommunicates with the concave portion may be formed at the lowersupporter. A lower gasket may be disposed between the lower supporterand the membrane-electrode assembly and an upper gasket may be disposedbetween the upper supporter and the membrane-electrode assembly. Thelower gasket or the upper gasket may include fluorine or EPDM (ethylenepropylene diene M-class) rubber. The partitions may be disposed with asubstantially constant gap along a horizontal direction and a verticaldirection and a ruler may be formed at the partitions.

A plurality of upper engagement bores may be formed at the uppersupporter, and a plurality of lower engagement bores may be formed at aposition that corresponds to the upper engagement bores in the lowersupporter. A plurality of cover guide bores may be formed at the uppercover, and a plurality of cover engagement bores may be formed atpositions that correspond to the cover guide bores in the uppersupporter. The upper cover may be made of a transparent material.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it may bepossible to exactly determine a damaged portion of the electrolytemembrane by a measurement gas or deionized water flowing through theelectrolyte membrane. Further, it may be possible to quantitativelymeasure a size of the damaged portion of the electrolyte membrane bymeasuring a deionized water level of the portion where the electrolytemembrane is damaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are for reference in describing an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, so that it shall not be construed that thetechnical spirit of the present invention is limited to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an inspection apparatus of an electrolytemembrane according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a lower supporter according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an upper supporter according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an upper cover according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an inspection apparatus of an electrolytemembrane according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a lower supporter according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an upper supporter according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an upper cover according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsof the invention are shown. As those skilled in the art would realize,the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, allwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

It is understood that the term “vehicle” or “vehicular” or other similarterm as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such aspassenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses,trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety ofboats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles,electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-poweredvehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g. fuels derived fromresources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicleis a vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example bothgasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, theterm “about” is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in theart, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. “About” canbe understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%,0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear fromthe context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by theterm “about.”

In order to clearly describe the present invention, portions that arenot connected with the description will be omitted. Like referencenumerals designate like elements throughout the specification. Inaddition, the size and thickness of each configuration shown in thedrawings are arbitrarily shown for better understanding and ease ofdescription, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In thedrawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., areexaggerated for clarity.

Hereinafter, an inspection apparatus of an electrolyte membraneaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an inspection apparatus of an electrolytemembrane according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.As shown in FIG. 1, an inspection apparatus of an electrolyte membraneaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention mayinclude a lower supporter 110, an upper supporter 130 disposed at theupper portion of the lower supporter 110, and an upper cover 150disposed at the upper portion of the upper supporter 130. Amembrane-electrode assembly 300 may be disposed between the lowersupporter 110 and the upper supporter 130.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a lower supporter according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 andFIG. 2, the lower supporter 110 may have a substantially rectangularshape, and a concave portion 112 may be formed at a substantially centerportion of the lower supporter 110. A gas inlet 114 may be formed at alateral side of the lower supporter 110, a gas line 116 may be formed tocommunicate with the gas inlet 114 at the lower supporter 110, and a gasoutlet 118 may be formed to communicate with the gas line 116 at theconcave portion 112. In FIG. 2, one gas outlet 118 may be formed howevermultiple gas outlets 118 may be formed at a constant interval. Whenmultiple gas outlets 118 are formed at a constant interval, a pressureof measurement gas may be supplied to the membrane-electrode assembly300 and thus a position of a pinhole may be measured more accurately.

The gas line 116 may be used to supply the measurement gas and may beconfigured to communicate with the concave portion 112 through the gasoutlet 118. The measurement gas may be helium gas or nitrogen gas.Further, a lower gasket 120 may be disposed between the lower supporter110 and the membrane-electrode assembly 300. In particular, the lowergasket 120 may be disposed along an outer edge of the concave portion112 and may be a macromolecular gasket including fluorine or EPDM(ethylene propylene diene M-class) rubber. A plurality of lowerengagement bores 122 may be formed at an outer side of the lowersupporter 110. At least one lower guide bore 124 may be formed at thelower supporter 110.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an upper supporter according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 andFIG. 3, the upper supporter 130 may have a substantially rectangularshape, and an opening 132 having a rectangular shape may be formed at acenter portion of the upper supporter 130. An exhaust port 134 may beformed at a lateral side of the upper supporter 130, and the exhaustport 134 may be configured to communicate with the opening 132.

Additionally, an upper gasket 140 may be disposed between the uppersupporter 130 and the membrane-electrode assembly 300 (refer to FIG. 1).In particular, the upper gasket 140 may be disposed along an outer edgeof the opening 132. The upper gasket 140 may be a macromolecular gasketincluding fluorine or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene M-class) rubber. Aplurality of upper engagement bores 142 may be formed at an outer edgeof the upper supporter 130. The plurality of upper engagement bores 142may be formed at a position that corresponds to the lower engagementbores 122. A plurality of cover engagement bores 146 that engage theupper cover 150 may be formed at the upper supporter 130. At least oneupper guide bore 144 may be formed at the upper supporter 130. The upperguide bore 144 may be formed at a position that corresponds to the lowerguide bore 124.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an upper cover according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, theupper cover 150 may include a cover 151 and a plurality of partitions153 that protrude downward from the cover 151. The cover may have a flatshape and the upper cover 150 may be configured to cover an upperportion of the opening 132. The plurality of partitions 153 may bedisposed with a substantially constant gap along a horizontal directionand a vertical direction of the cover 151. For a more accuratemeasurement, the cover 151 may be divided into more than 50 regions bythe partitions 153. The cover 151 and the partition 153 may further bemade of a transparent material such as glass, acryl, or polycarbonateand a plurality of rulers 154 may be formed at the partitions 153.

A plurality of cover guide apertures 166 may be formed at an outer edgeof the cover 151. The cover guide apertures 166 may be formed atposition that correspond to the cover engagement apertures 146. Thecover 151 may be configured to cover an upper portion of the uppersupporter 130, to allow verification or detection of a damaged portionof the membrane-electrode assembly 300 through the plurality ofpartitions 153.

Hereinafter, an operation of the inspection apparatus of the electrolytemembrane according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionwill be described in detail. First, an engagement method of the lowersupporter 110, the upper supporter 130, and the upper cover 150 will bedescribed, and an inspection process that verifies a damaged portion ofthe electrolyte membrane will be described.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the membrane-electrode assembly 300 maybe disposed between the lower supporter 110 and the upper supporter 130.An engagement bolt (not shown) may be passed through the upperengagement bore 142 of the upper supporter 130 and the lower engagementbore 122 of the lower supporter 110, and the engagement bolt may befixed using a nut. The lower supporter 110 and the upper supporter 130may thus be fixedly engaged.

Deionized water may be filled into the opening 132 of the uppersupporter 130. Accordingly, leakage of deionized water may be preventedby the upper gasket 140 disposed between the upper supporter 130 and themembrane-electrode assembly 300. The upper cover 150 and the uppersupporter 130 may be bolted by an engagement bolt (not shown) passedthrough the cover guide bore 166 of the upper cover 150 and the coverengagement bore 146. However, the present invention is not limited tobolt engagement and any other type of fastening mechanism may be used.

Furthermore, measurement gas may be supplied through the gas inlet 114.The pressure of the measurement gas may be about 0.1 to 1 bar. Leakageof the measurement gas may be prevented by the lower gasket 120 disposedbetween the membrane-electrode assembly 300 and the lower supporter 110.When a damaged portion of the electrolyte membrane such as a pinhole orsubstantially thin portion (e.g., having a predetermined thickness) isdetected, the measurement gas may pass through the damaged portion andmove toward the opening 132 of the upper supporter 130 filled with thedeionized water. In other words, the measurement gas may pass throughthe damaged portion of the membrane-electrode assembly 300, and bubblesof the measurement gas may be generated in the deionized water.

A position of the damaged portion may be verified from a position wherethe bubbles of the measurement gas are generated, and a more accurateposition of the bubbles may be verified from a space divided by thepartitions 153. Since the upper cover 150 may be made of a transparentmaterial, the generation position of the bubbles may be detected withthe naked eye. The opening 132 may be divided into a plurality of spacesby the partitions 153 of the upper cover 150. The spaces may be filledwith the deionized water. However, when the measurement gas passingthrough the damaged portion is increased, the deionized water level ofthe space where the damaged portion is positioned decreases.

Accordingly, the deionized water level may be measured by the ruler 154formed at the partition 153. As a size of the damaged portion of theelectrolyte membrane increases, the deionized water level decreases.Therefore, it may be possible to quantitatively determine the size ofthe damaged portion of the electrolyte membrane. Over-flow of deionizedwater caused by the measurement gas may be exhausted through the exhaustport 134 formed at the upper supporter 130.

Hereinafter, an inspection apparatus of an electrolyte membraneaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention willbe described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an inspection apparatus of an electrolytemembrane according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 5, an inspection apparatus of an electrolytemembrane according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention may include a lower supporter 210, an upper supporter 230disposed at the upper portion of the lower supporter 210, and an uppercover 250 disposed at the upper portion of the upper supporter 230. Amembrane-electrode assembly 300 may be disposed between the lowersupporter 210 and the upper supporter 230.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a lower supporter according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5 andFIG. 6, the lower supporter 210 may have a substantially rectangularshape, and a concave portion 212 may be formed at a substantially centerportion of the lower supporter 210. A deionized water supply aperture214 may be formed at one side of the lower supporter 210. A deionizedwater inflow line 215 that communicates with the deionized water supplyaperture 214 may be formed in the lower supporter 210. A deionized waterinlet 216 and a deionized water outlet 217 may be formed at the concaveportion 212. A deionized water exhaust line 218 that communicates withthe deionized water outlet 217 may be formed at the other side of thelower supporter 210.

Additionally, a three-way valve 227 may be disposed within the deionizedwater supply aperture 214. Deionized water and measurement gas may beselectively supplied to the concave portion 212 of the lower supporter210 by the three-way valve 227. An exhaust valve 229 may be disposed atthe deionized water exhaust line 218. The deionized water filled in thelower supporter 210 may be selectively exhausted to the exterior by theexhaust valve 229.

A lower gasket 220 may be disposed between the lower supporter 210 andthe membrane-electrode assembly 300. In particular, the lower gasket 220may be disposed along an outer edge of the concave portion 212. Thelower gasket 220 may be a macromolecular gasket including fluorine orEPDM (ethylene propylene diene M-class) rubber. A plurality of lowerengagement bores 222 may be formed at an outer side of the lowersupporter 210. At least one lower guide bore 224 may be formed at thelower supporter 210.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an upper supporter according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5 andFIG. 7, the upper supporter 230 may have a substantially rectangularshape, and an opening 232 having a rectangular shape may be formed at asubstantially center portion of the upper supporter 230 (e.g., at aboutthe center thereof).

An upper gasket 240 may be disposed between the upper supporter 230 andthe membrane-electrode assembly 300 (refer to FIG. 5). In particular,the upper gasket 240 may be disposed along an outer edge of the opening232 and may be a macromolecular gasket including fluorine or EPDM(ethylene propylene diene M-class) rubber. A plurality of upperengagement bores 242 may be formed at an outer edge of the uppersupporter 230. The plurality of upper engagement bores 242 may be formedat a position that corresponds to the lower engagement bores 222. Aplurality of cover engagement bores 244 for engaging the upper cover 250may be formed at the upper supporter 230. At least one upper guide bore246 may be formed at the upper supporter 230. The upper guide bore 246may be formed at a position that corresponds to the lower guide bore224.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an upper cover according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5 andFIG. 8, the upper cover 250 may include a cover 251 and a plurality ofpartitions 253 that protrude downward from the cover 251. In particular,the upper cover 250 may be configured to cover an upper portion of theopening 232. The plurality of partitions 253 may be disposed with asubstantially constant gap along a horizontal direction and a verticaldirection of the cover 251.

For a more accurate measurement, the cover 251 may be divided into over50 regions by the partitions 253. The cover 251 and the partition 253may be made of a transparent material such as glass, acryl, orpolycarbonate and a plurality of rulers 254 may be formed at thepartitions 253. A plurality of cover guide bores 266 may be formed atouter edges of the cover 251 and may be formed at positions thatcorrespond to the cover engagement bores 244. The cover 251 may beconfigured to cover an upper portion of the upper supporter 230, toallow verification or detection of a damaged portion of themembrane-electrode assembly 300 through the plurality of partitions 253.

Hereinafter, an operation of the inspection apparatus of the electrolytemembrane according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention will be described in detail. First, an engagement method ofthe lower supporter 210, the upper supporter 230, and the upper cover250 will be described, and an inspection process that verifies a damagedportion of the electrolyte membrane will be described.

Referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, the membrane-electrode assembly 300 maybe disposed between the lower supporter 210 and the upper supporter 230.An engagement bolt (not shown) may be passed through the upperengagement bore 242 of the upper supporter 230 and the lower engagementbore 222 of the lower supporter 210, and the engagement bolt may befixed using a nut. The lower supporter 210 and the upper supporter 230may thus be fixedly engaged. The upper cover 250 and the upper supporter230 may be bolted by an engagement bolt (not shown) passed through thecover guide bore 266 of the upper cover 250 and the cover engagementbore 246.

Deionized water may be supplied to the concave portion 212 of the lowersupporter 210 by the three-way valve 227. When the concave portion 212of the lower supporter 210 is filled with the deionized water,supplement of the deionized water may be stopped and measurement gas maybe supplied to the concave portion 212. The measurement gas may behelium gas or nitrogen gas. Accordingly, leakage of the deionized watermay be prevented by the lower gasket 220 disposed between themembrane-electrode assembly 300 and the lower supporter 210.

When pressure of the deionized water is increased by the measurementgas, the deionized water may move or flow toward the upper side of themembrane-electrode assembly 300 through the damaged portion such as thepinholes of the electrolyte membrane. Leakage of deionized water may beprevented by the upper gasket 240 disposed between the upper supporter230 and the membrane-electrode assembly 300.

When the pressure of the deionized water is greater than a predeterminedpressure due to the measurement gas, the deionized water may beexhausted by opening the exhaust valve 229. Accordingly, the damagedportion of the electrolyte membrane may be verified from the deionizedwater moved upward passing through the damaged portion. Further, sincethe upper cover 250 may be made of a transparent material, thegeneration position of the bubble may be determined with the naked eye.

The opening 232 may be divided into a plurality of spaces by thepartition 253 of the upper cover 250. At an initial stage, the spacesmay be empty. However, when the deionized water passing through thedamaged portion of the membrane-electrode assembly 300 increases, thedeionized water level of the space where the damaged portion ispositioned increases. Thus, the deionized water level may be measured bythe ruler 254 formed at the partition 253. When a size of the damagedportion of the electrolyte membrane is substantial, the deionized watermay decrease. Therefore, it may be possible to quantitatively determinethe size of the damaged portion of the electrolyte membrane.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

-   -   110: lower supporter    -   112: concave portion    -   114: gas inlet    -   116: gas line    -   118: gas outlet    -   120: lower gasket    -   122: lower engagement bore    -   124: lower guide aperture    -   130: upper supporter    -   132: opening    -   134: exhaust port    -   142: upper engagement bore    -   144: upper guide bore    -   146: cover engagement bore    -   150: upper cover    -   151: cover    -   153: partition    -   154: ruler    -   166: cover guide bore    -   210: lower supporter    -   212: concave portion    -   214: deionized water supply aperture    -   215: deionized water inflow line    -   216: deionized water inlet    -   217: deionized water outlet    -   218: deionized water exhaust line    -   220: lower gasket    -   222: lower engagement bore    -   224: lower guide bore    -   230: upper supporter    -   232: opening    -   240: upper gasket    -   242: upper engagement bore    -   244: cover engagement bore    -   246: upper guide bore    -   250: upper cover    -   251: cover    -   253: partition    -   266: cover guide bore

While this invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplaryembodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inspection apparatus for damage of an electrolyte membrane in a membrane-electrode assembly, comprising: a lower supporter formed with a deionized water inflow line through which deionized water flows; an upper supporter disposed at an upper side of the lower supporter, and formed with an opening, wherein the membrane-electrode assembly is disposed between the lower supporter and the upper supporter; and an upper cover that covers an upper portion of the opening and is formed with a plurality of partitions, wherein a level of the deionized water formed at any of the plurality of partitions indicates a size of a damaged portion of the electrolyte membrane.
 2. The inspection apparatus for damage of the electrolyte membrane of claim 1, wherein a concave portion is formed at a center portion of the lower supporter, and the deionized water inflow line communicates with the concave portion.
 3. The inspection apparatus for damage of the electrolyte membrane of claim 2, wherein a deionized water exhaust line that communicates with the concave portion is formed at the lower supporter.
 4. The inspection apparatus for damage of the electrolyte membrane of claim 2, wherein a lower gasket is disposed between the lower supporter and the membrane-electrode assembly.
 5. The inspection apparatus for damage of the electrolyte membrane of claim 4, wherein the lower gasket or the upper gasket includes fluorine or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene M-class) rubber.
 6. The inspection apparatus for damage of the electrolyte membrane of claim 2, wherein an upper gasket is disposed between the upper supporter and the membrane-electrode assembly.
 7. The inspection apparatus for damage of the electrolyte membrane of claim 2, wherein a plurality of cover guide bores are formed at the upper cover and a plurality of cover engagement bores are formed at position that corresponds to the cover guide bores in the upper supporter.
 8. The inspection apparatus for damage of the electrolyte membrane of claim 1, wherein the partitions are disposed with a constant gap along a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.
 9. The inspection apparatus for damage of the electrolyte membrane of claim 1, wherein a ruler is provided at each of the plurality of partitions.
 10. The inspection apparatus for damage of the electrolyte membrane of claim 1, wherein: a plurality of upper engagement bores are formed at the upper supporter and a plurality of lower engagement bores are formed at a position that corresponds to the upper engagement bores in the lower supporter. 